Two weeks in Siebert Colorado
After leaving Topeka we drove onto I 70 and if you have never traveled Kansas let me tell you the wind will knock you down. It was blowing in excess of 40 mph and we decided to pull into the Triple J campground in Russell Kansas. We found this park to be very clean and right off of the interstate. The staff was very helpful and this park features a mini-golf course. We stayed overnight and you should have seen us walking in these winds. Becky was nearly knocked off of the steps by the force of the door which caught in the wind. We might add that plan for extra expense in weather like this our gas mileage went from 11 to 12 miles per gallon to 7-8 miles per gallon. So be prepared when you drive thru this way. After a great night we continued on to our Yellowstone Destination we drove into Colorado still on I 70 and decided to stay halfway to Denver at the Shady Grove Wi-Fi Camp Ground. This campground is located in Siebert Colorado and is a great location to rest up and get some peace and quiet. We decided to stay a bit longer because Becky pushed me out of the RV and I fell twisting my ankle. OK maybe I am stretching it a little I fell when I missed a step and did turn my ankle I knew I was in trouble when I landed on the ground staring at Becky’s $30.00 rock. I don’t think I have told you about her rock so here goes. We are from Arkansas as most of you know. We are a very poor rural state and do not have a great deal of assets but one thing we do have is rocks. One day after church Becky had me stop at one of the road side stands you know the ones they have an acre of rocks laid out for the tourists to ooh and ah over and pay money for something they could pick up for free. Well after we stop Becky puts them all to shame oohing and ahing at the different rocks in this yard after what seemed like an eternity she comes back with this huge rock and decides it is her destiny to bring it home. I was just glad to get her out of the yard so I take it up to the owner of the yard and go into shock when I find it costs $30.00 for one rock. I had it all wrong these guys are brilliant they are making a fortune selling something that anyone can pick up for free on the road. So from that day forward we have had a $30.00 rock which sits proudly on our front patio at campgrounds wherever we are. Well back to the point my ankle is fine and time to head on down the road.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
On the Road to Yellowstone
Heading for Yellowstone
After leaving the Red Bluff area we began a trek to Yellowstone. Becky is excited because her Mom is flying into Denver Colorado to join us and her aunt is meeting us north of Denver in their Class A rig. We drove over to Joplin and decided to stop for a couple of days and rest. We stayed at the Big Red Barn Campground. Guys this is a very nice park with very friendly staff and clean grounds. Wal-Mart and other shopping is close by and this park makes a great stop while travelling. After leaving Joplin we continued over to Topeka Kansas where we stopped at the Hilltop Campground in Topeka. This park is a former KOA park and to be honest needs some repairs. The staff was helpful and the pool was nice and uncrowded. We decided to stay a week here to rest up and over all it was a nice visit. From here we will continue over to Russell Kansas to one of the best overnight parks the Triple J. Stay tuned for the Nomadic Durrs.
After leaving the Red Bluff area we began a trek to Yellowstone. Becky is excited because her Mom is flying into Denver Colorado to join us and her aunt is meeting us north of Denver in their Class A rig. We drove over to Joplin and decided to stop for a couple of days and rest. We stayed at the Big Red Barn Campground. Guys this is a very nice park with very friendly staff and clean grounds. Wal-Mart and other shopping is close by and this park makes a great stop while travelling. After leaving Joplin we continued over to Topeka Kansas where we stopped at the Hilltop Campground in Topeka. This park is a former KOA park and to be honest needs some repairs. The staff was helpful and the pool was nice and uncrowded. We decided to stay a week here to rest up and over all it was a nice visit. From here we will continue over to Russell Kansas to one of the best overnight parks the Triple J. Stay tuned for the Nomadic Durrs.
A Week in the Woods at Davisville
A week in the woods at Davisville
After a great week at Candy Cane RV Park we moved over to Davisville Missouri and the Red Bluff Campground. This is a federal park and has no water but does have electric. On other drawback is no cell service possible or satellite coverage. There are limited sites for RV’s and they are on the narrow and small side. The water stream running behind the park was beautiful and we loved wading in it. The first day we walked down to see the stream Becky bless her heart lost a shoe while wading now you have to get this picture she is on the bank hollering, Missy is running along the bank barking while I am in the fast moving stream chasing the shoe. Well all is well I did recover the shoe some distance downstream and I think it made the other campers day to see me chasing it. This is a nice park but it is very rustic and basic and cannot handle large rigs properly. Well it is time to move on we are leaving heading for Yellowstone park stay tuned for the Nomadic Durrs.
After a great week at Candy Cane RV Park we moved over to Davisville Missouri and the Red Bluff Campground. This is a federal park and has no water but does have electric. On other drawback is no cell service possible or satellite coverage. There are limited sites for RV’s and they are on the narrow and small side. The water stream running behind the park was beautiful and we loved wading in it. The first day we walked down to see the stream Becky bless her heart lost a shoe while wading now you have to get this picture she is on the bank hollering, Missy is running along the bank barking while I am in the fast moving stream chasing the shoe. Well all is well I did recover the shoe some distance downstream and I think it made the other campers day to see me chasing it. This is a nice park but it is very rustic and basic and cannot handle large rigs properly. Well it is time to move on we are leaving heading for Yellowstone park stay tuned for the Nomadic Durrs.
On The Road to Merrimac
On the Road to Merrimac Caverns
Well we have left Little Rock and are on our way heading to the world famous Merrimac Caverns in Stanton Missouri. These Caverns are known for the hide out of Jesse James and are the largest in the world. Explorers discovered artifacts in the caverns which belonged to the legendary character and are on display at the caverns. Parking is ample and just a word of advice temperature are constant in the low 60’s so you may want a light jacket. We pulled into Candy Cane Rv Park in Steelville Missouri late that evening after which could only be described as a ride from the movie RV. Becky had found the park and programmed it into our GPS which I affectionately call Miss Lola (red head 36, 26, 36) and what a voice for the closest and least travelled route. Little did she realize that this would carry us not on I 44 for a direct shot but down every pig trail mountain top and back road in the entire state of Missouri. We ended up at the top of hills where we were not at the end of the world but it could not have been far. I mean it really got bad when Lola and Miss Becky got into an argument as to who was to blame for the route. Well we finally did make it in one piece and we found Bill the owner of the park very friendly and helpful. Candy Cane RV park has a pool full hookups and mini golf. If you are in the Cuba Steelville area be sure and stop by. We made it to the Caverns on Thursday and the tour takes about an hour and a half and has to be described as beautiful and breathtaking. We were underground over 350 feet. We saw the underground river where Jesse James and his gang escaped by swimming out of the caverns from the law. Well it has been a long day gotta run see you next time down the Nomadic Durrs Trail.
Well we have left Little Rock and are on our way heading to the world famous Merrimac Caverns in Stanton Missouri. These Caverns are known for the hide out of Jesse James and are the largest in the world. Explorers discovered artifacts in the caverns which belonged to the legendary character and are on display at the caverns. Parking is ample and just a word of advice temperature are constant in the low 60’s so you may want a light jacket. We pulled into Candy Cane Rv Park in Steelville Missouri late that evening after which could only be described as a ride from the movie RV. Becky had found the park and programmed it into our GPS which I affectionately call Miss Lola (red head 36, 26, 36) and what a voice for the closest and least travelled route. Little did she realize that this would carry us not on I 44 for a direct shot but down every pig trail mountain top and back road in the entire state of Missouri. We ended up at the top of hills where we were not at the end of the world but it could not have been far. I mean it really got bad when Lola and Miss Becky got into an argument as to who was to blame for the route. Well we finally did make it in one piece and we found Bill the owner of the park very friendly and helpful. Candy Cane RV park has a pool full hookups and mini golf. If you are in the Cuba Steelville area be sure and stop by. We made it to the Caverns on Thursday and the tour takes about an hour and a half and has to be described as beautiful and breathtaking. We were underground over 350 feet. We saw the underground river where Jesse James and his gang escaped by swimming out of the caverns from the law. Well it has been a long day gotta run see you next time down the Nomadic Durrs Trail.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Repairs at Camping World
Repairs at Camping World in Little Rock Arkansas
Our journey begins in Little Rock Arkansas at the local Camping World Supply Store. We had pulled in for a few supplies like the boy scouts we have to be prepared. Let me introduce our little merry band I like to think of myself as the skipper but for the most part I am Gilligan but most call me Larry and to my immediate right my ever beautiful and sexy Ginger and Mary Ann Becky and our ever loving protector and guide Boo Boo the miniature dachshund and Jack Russell Mix. More on Boo later back to Camping World we had decided well Miss Becky had decided and I thought it was a wonderful idea that we needed a king sized bed in our boudoir. Guys have you ever taken a moment to reflect on why it is when we were in college a twin bed and a date with the high school cheerleader was all you needed and then comes marriage and suddenly a king sized extra wide just does not seem to do the trick. If you have not realized it yet I spend a lot of time lost in my thoughts twisted as they may seem but it does seem to keep me out of trouble. We arrived at Camping World Sunday Afternoon and we enjoyed looking at the various camping items and RV’s I became a little confused when they could not confirm our appointment or whether the part we had ordered two weeks previously had arrived. The next day the service department did not open until 8:20 even though our appointment was set for 8:00. Our rig finally went in at 9:00 and the first item was of course Becky’s king size bed. We were told that they would install it for $200.00 and that sounded reasonable as our foundation was for a queen sized mattress but little did we know they took it out of the box laid it on our existing frame plugged it in and watched it inflate. No foundation no wiring simply plugged it in. Guys let me tell you the folks at this Camping World have to be the rudest and most unhelpful I have ever seen. We are hoping that this is not common of all their locations but that is yet to be seen. We had purchased a Windham Traveler Satellite system and the service folks were initially unable to find it. We were told it had not come in and they did not know when it would arrive. As our new mattress was inflating suddenly our satellite system appeared. They had misplaced it in the warehouse. The service tech told us that the original install price was not correct that he would need 3 additional hours to install it and the install would be double. The system install ended up costing us $675.00 we were unable to get our air conditioner installed here which was the next item on our list. Our rig was prewired and framed for a second air unit so no problem right? The service tech here who I can only describe as a cross between Gomer Pyle and Larry the Cable Guy acted as if he had never seen an air conditioner. I reminded him we were pre wired and framed in our Bristol Bay but that did not seem to faze him. After his elaborate description of his drilling holes all over our roof to discover the mounting location and then having to fix all of the unnecessary holes, hours of additional labor which was required and the cost involved we decided not to have them do the install. On the bright side guys the sleep number bed and the Windham satellite system work great and we would recommend them to anyone. We ended up doubling back to Razorback Camper Sales in Hot Springs where we bought our Bristol Bay and had them install the air unit. After getting Junior the service tech off of the ground from laughing at the Camper Sales service tech it took only three hours and it was great to see Vince, Doug, Kyle and all of the guys. The Johnson’s have a great Rv dealership and we recommend them highly. When you Rv full time in a 35 foot rig you really need two air units as we discovered one just does not quite cut it. Now remember though you need 50 amps to run both 30 amps does not pose a problem as during the day we close our bedroom and run the big central unit and at night run the bedroom unit it works out quite nicely. While in Hot springs we stayed with the friendly folks at Lake Hamilton Rv Park and really enjoyed our stay. They have full hook ups and are right on the water. Give them a shout when in Hot Springs and you will not be sorry. Well enough for now see you next time on the Nomadic Durr Trail.
Our journey begins in Little Rock Arkansas at the local Camping World Supply Store. We had pulled in for a few supplies like the boy scouts we have to be prepared. Let me introduce our little merry band I like to think of myself as the skipper but for the most part I am Gilligan but most call me Larry and to my immediate right my ever beautiful and sexy Ginger and Mary Ann Becky and our ever loving protector and guide Boo Boo the miniature dachshund and Jack Russell Mix. More on Boo later back to Camping World we had decided well Miss Becky had decided and I thought it was a wonderful idea that we needed a king sized bed in our boudoir. Guys have you ever taken a moment to reflect on why it is when we were in college a twin bed and a date with the high school cheerleader was all you needed and then comes marriage and suddenly a king sized extra wide just does not seem to do the trick. If you have not realized it yet I spend a lot of time lost in my thoughts twisted as they may seem but it does seem to keep me out of trouble. We arrived at Camping World Sunday Afternoon and we enjoyed looking at the various camping items and RV’s I became a little confused when they could not confirm our appointment or whether the part we had ordered two weeks previously had arrived. The next day the service department did not open until 8:20 even though our appointment was set for 8:00. Our rig finally went in at 9:00 and the first item was of course Becky’s king size bed. We were told that they would install it for $200.00 and that sounded reasonable as our foundation was for a queen sized mattress but little did we know they took it out of the box laid it on our existing frame plugged it in and watched it inflate. No foundation no wiring simply plugged it in. Guys let me tell you the folks at this Camping World have to be the rudest and most unhelpful I have ever seen. We are hoping that this is not common of all their locations but that is yet to be seen. We had purchased a Windham Traveler Satellite system and the service folks were initially unable to find it. We were told it had not come in and they did not know when it would arrive. As our new mattress was inflating suddenly our satellite system appeared. They had misplaced it in the warehouse. The service tech told us that the original install price was not correct that he would need 3 additional hours to install it and the install would be double. The system install ended up costing us $675.00 we were unable to get our air conditioner installed here which was the next item on our list. Our rig was prewired and framed for a second air unit so no problem right? The service tech here who I can only describe as a cross between Gomer Pyle and Larry the Cable Guy acted as if he had never seen an air conditioner. I reminded him we were pre wired and framed in our Bristol Bay but that did not seem to faze him. After his elaborate description of his drilling holes all over our roof to discover the mounting location and then having to fix all of the unnecessary holes, hours of additional labor which was required and the cost involved we decided not to have them do the install. On the bright side guys the sleep number bed and the Windham satellite system work great and we would recommend them to anyone. We ended up doubling back to Razorback Camper Sales in Hot Springs where we bought our Bristol Bay and had them install the air unit. After getting Junior the service tech off of the ground from laughing at the Camper Sales service tech it took only three hours and it was great to see Vince, Doug, Kyle and all of the guys. The Johnson’s have a great Rv dealership and we recommend them highly. When you Rv full time in a 35 foot rig you really need two air units as we discovered one just does not quite cut it. Now remember though you need 50 amps to run both 30 amps does not pose a problem as during the day we close our bedroom and run the big central unit and at night run the bedroom unit it works out quite nicely. While in Hot springs we stayed with the friendly folks at Lake Hamilton Rv Park and really enjoyed our stay. They have full hook ups and are right on the water. Give them a shout when in Hot Springs and you will not be sorry. Well enough for now see you next time on the Nomadic Durr Trail.
Ah Retirement
The Nomadic Durr’s
For men we spend the majority of our working life’s planning for that day that we ascend from the working class to that immortal position of Retirement. We picture fields of flowers, jars of honey and oh yeah 24/7 with the wife. That wonderful sound of her voice and our earnest reply of “yes dear’ ever ringing in our ears. Now do not get me wrong us guys would be lost without our loving better half but let’s be honest Gilligan had a ball lost on his island and seems to me Ginger and Mary Ann never asked him to empty the trash and oh yeah did you ever see Ginger out of a low cut evening gown and how about them daisy dukes Mary Ann always wore not bad either huh. So sit back grab a cup of coffee and come along with the Durr’s as I embark on this wonderful journey called retirement.
For men we spend the majority of our working life’s planning for that day that we ascend from the working class to that immortal position of Retirement. We picture fields of flowers, jars of honey and oh yeah 24/7 with the wife. That wonderful sound of her voice and our earnest reply of “yes dear’ ever ringing in our ears. Now do not get me wrong us guys would be lost without our loving better half but let’s be honest Gilligan had a ball lost on his island and seems to me Ginger and Mary Ann never asked him to empty the trash and oh yeah did you ever see Ginger out of a low cut evening gown and how about them daisy dukes Mary Ann always wore not bad either huh. So sit back grab a cup of coffee and come along with the Durr’s as I embark on this wonderful journey called retirement.
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